Friday, 19 December 2008

There are many different customs that make the Christmas season so special.When were some of the customs first used and where did they come from?lets take a look at some of the more popular yuletide traditions!it was good luck for the first person up on Christmas day to open a door and"let Christmas in."*bells placed near a baby or small child would keep evil spirits away*the number of days between the first snowfall and Christmas told how many snowfalls would come before spring*a cricket chirping at Christmas brought good luck*sparks from a yule log would create warmth in human souls.*a candle left burning all night in an empty room on Christmas eve would bring light, warmth, and plenty all year.Holly

A symbol of peace and joy, the holly tree was often the site for settling quarrels. Holly also was planted near a home to frighten off witches and protect it from thunder and lightning.Candles

Candles have long been the symbol of guiding light in the midst of darkness. At Christmas, they represent the journeyMary and Joseph made when travelingto Bethlehem and how they sought a place to spend the night. Tday a candle burning in the window of a home on Christmas Eve means that this is a home where visitors are welcome.Christmas Cards

The first Christmas card to be sold as a greeting card was produced in London in 1843. Louis Prang, a German immigrant, first began printing Christmas cards in the United States in 1874.Christmas Seals

Christmas seals are a 'new' tradition that originated in Denmark in 1904, when a postal clerk named Einar Holboell sold special stamps for a litle more money than the regular stamps. In the United States today, seals of bright and varied designs are sent out to homes by service organizations, and monetary contributions are made to the organization. We place the seals on our Christmas cards and letters as little reminders that the best meaning of Christmas is in thinking of others.

Mince Pie

Mince pie has been a Christmas favorite for 500 years. Itoriginaly was made with chopped partriges, pheasants, hares, and later chopped beef. Still later, cooks added suet, sugar, apples, molasses, raisins, currants, and spices to the recipe. The first pies wereoblong in shape to represent the manger. The latticework crust was a symbol for the hayrack. Eating mince pie was supposed to bring goodluck. For extra good luck, people would eat one pie a day between Christmas and Twelfth Night.Carols

Carol means a round dance and probably originated in the middle ages when worshipers joined hands and danced in a circle as they sang at religious rites. Today the carol is a joyous narrative. St. Francis of Assisi is often credited as being the "father of Christmas carol" At his Nativity scene in 1224, he led his followers in songs of praise to Jesus. From his joyful singing came a new way of celebrating the holiday.The Poinsettia

The poinsettia plant comes from Mexico, where it is called the "Flower of The Holy Night." An American Ambassador named Poinsett brought the plant to the United State in 1829.Cranberries

Indians told the Pilgrims that the wild res berries in the marshes near Plymouth were good to eat. Soon Cranberry sauce was served with turkey and became one of the few truly native American Christmas foods.

Reindeer

No one knows for sure, but Scandinavians may have brought the idea of Christmas reindeer to the United States They becam famous because of Dr. Clement Moore's poem of1823, in which Dancer, Prancer, Donder, Blitzen, and the other reideer were introduced as the animals who pull Santa's sleigh. Until the 19 century, St. Nicholas had ridden on a donkey, on a horse, or in the sky chariot drawn by horses.

Gifts

A Christmas gift symbolizes the gifts taken to Bethlehem by the Wise Men. Each gift foretold what Jesus would become: a king (gold), a high priest (frankincense), and a great physician and healer (myrrh).

Plum Pudding

Plum pudding dates back to 1670 when it was a thick plum porridge made from meat broth, chopped cows' tonges, raisins, fruit juice, wine, and spices. Plum refers to the rising or swelling of the raisins when cooked.

Colors

Red, green, and white have long been associated with the Christmas season. Red, the color of greatest excitement, represents fire, blood, and charity. Green is the symbol of nature, youth, and the hope for eternal life.Christmas is the feast of hope, with the Baby Jesus at its center. White stands for light, purity, joy, and glory. We see white in the robes of angels and in holiday decorations and snow.

Ornaments

The first Christmas tree ornaments were made at home with available materials. Some of these included fruits, gilded nuts, gingerbread figures, and paper roses. Later, beautifully colored glass balls replaced the fruits.

Stockings

The custom of hanging stockings on Christmas Eve began in 300A.D., when a young bishop in Asia Minor became famous for his kindness to others. Later known as Saint Nicholas, the bishop often left gifts for people, but didnt wait for thanks. One night, he climbed onto a rooftop and dropped a gift down the chimney. The gift fell into a stocking that had been hung to dry.Through the years, children began leaving things, from wooden shoes to stockings, to be filled with goodies on Christmas Eve by the generous fellow who is known to us today as Santa Claus.Manger

St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order of friars, first placed the animals around the manger in 1223, when he asked a farmer of Assisi to build a miniature manger. He filled the manger with straw and had wood carvers make painted figures of Jesus, Mary, ox and ass, shepherds, and Oriental kings. St. Francis followed the words of Isaiah 1:3 when he positioned an ass and an ox near the manger. "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his masters crib; but Israel hath not known me and my people hath not understood." St. Francis raised Christmas from a high mass to a festival of love when he moved this manger scene, or Christmas Crib, into the church and illuminated it with candles. In 1224, he made the scene come alive with real animals and people. In a cave outside the Italian town of Greccio, ony the life-size Christ Child was made of wax. On Christmas Eve, St. Francis asked the farmers and sherpherds and their families who had gathered to put hatred from their hearts and make Christmas a time of peace.